Icebreakers is a self-help group, offering a safe space and supportive network for gay and bi-sexual men. The group meets weekly in central Manchester and provides peer support and assistance in dealing with issues such as coming out, isolation, and homophobia. The Foundation awarded £2,500 over a two-year period towards the venue and costs relating to volunteers in February 2014.

The Foundation offered £2,708 towards costs of Tea and Chat sessions in February 2014. These fortnightly social activities aim to reduce the loneliness and isolation of older people living in the Eastcott area of Swindon, and enable them to meet/make friends.

The grant has covered general costs of the sessions including some special events as well as refreshments, venue and travel costs. It has enabled the community, particularly older people, to get together on a regular basis and participate in activities.

Prisoners’ Penfriends works closely with the Prison Service to enable people in prison to write safely to volunteer correspondents in the community. This reduces the isolation of those prisoners who otherwise have little or no support from the outside world – and assists in their rehabilitation back into society.

In February 2014 the Foundation granted £1,645 to extend the service nationally to sex offenders. The grant covers training and travel costs to ensure volunteer correspondents are fully trained and supported.

WSSAG provides a safe, supporting and empowering environment for female asylum seekers and refugees in Cardiff. It runs a fortnightly drop-in where women can meet, talk together, and offer support. Members work together to seek solutions to their problems, overcome helplessness and isolation, tackle the trauma they have faced and turn their lives around. The group campaigns on women’s asylum issues and is committed to empower refugee women to have control over their own lives, to have control of their own destiny and to advocate on their own behalf.

The Foundation awarded £2,000 pa for two years to the general running costs of this organisation in February 2014.

The Kairos Centre in Newcastle (to the south of Belfast) offers a range of community activities – and received £4,760 in February 2014 towards its Men’s Shed project. This project involves training and work placements within a furniture recycling environment for men with a range of mental health issues. It aims to provide useful and meaningful skills and improve self-esteem and confidence of participants.